Disclaimer: -men in white coats put author in straight jacket and lock her in round padded room- No! You can't keep me away from my Inu Yasha! I'll get out, I swear!

A/N: Wow, I really love you guys. You made my week from hell a whole lot better. What wonderful reviews! –sob, choke, sob-

WARNING- Some violence and a little nudity in this chap.

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Chapter 13- Scares and Scars

Inu Yasha opened an eye and watched Iki cross the room to open the curtains. Outside he could see the receding line of dark clouds, and the sun attempting to cut through them. Iki turned and saw him watching her. She smiled. "You two looked so comfortable I didn't want to wake you." Inu Yasha blushed a little at being found in bed with his miko, no matter if they were clothed or not. Kagome stirred and lifted her head to look at her mother. "Well, since you're both up, come get some lunch."

Kagome blinked sleepily at her mother and glanced at the side table clock. 'I guess I drifted off. It's been less than an hour. Well, it was just a cat nap.'

Because of Kagome's lack of response, Inu Yasha nodded to Iki. She smiled and left. Kagome rolled back and buried her nose into his neck.

Inu Yasha smirked at her. "Come on, koi. Let's get something to eat. I promised I'd met Kittto, if the sun came out. And it is out."

Kagome growled softly against his neck, which tickled Inu Yasha like crazy. "I like it here. It's warm and safe and smells good."

He chuckled. "Get up, wench. We're loosing daylight." He rolled away from her reluctantly. Kagome grumbled, but moved to follow him into the other room. The two sat down at the small table and Iki set a plate of food before them. Kagome nearly shrieked. There before her was a large slice of extra-large pizza with everything.

"What's wrong dear? You look pale. Are you feeling all right?" Iki placed a hand on Kagome's brow.

"Um, I'm fine." She exchanged a look with Inu Yasha. "Where'd this pizza come from Mom?"

"Oh, well, Shina brought it by. She said something about having too much. She asked to see you, but you two were still asleep."

'I bet she did.' Kagome looked at Inu Yasha one more time and then eyed the pizza suspiciously. 'Would she try to poison me? No, then she wouldn't have given it to my mom.' Inu Yasha sat beside her, poking his slice with a long claw as if were a demon in disguise.

"What's wrong? I thought you two liked pizza." Iki watched them curiously.

"Uh, we do." Kagome picked up her slice and took a timid bite. Inu Yasha watched as she chewed it thoughtfully. She grinned and took another bite. "Mmm, not bad."

Inu Yasha took that as a sign that it was okay and dove in. He'd been starving since they arrived back in the suite, but he'd been unwilling to leave Kagome after what had happened. He felt his body rush again with heat at the memory. 'By kami, she has no idea what she does to me!'

Kagome glanced his way and saw him sweating. "Is it too spicy for you?"

He flinched at her voice. "Uh…no. It's fine." His cheeks tinted a slight pink. 'Good thing she can't read minds. I'd be sat for sure, for that last thought.'

"Okay." Kagome gave him a sideways smile. 'I wonder what's gotten into him?' She blushed a little. 'I wonder if he's thinking about what happened earlier.' Kagome chewed her pizza thoughtfully, daydreaming about what might have occurred had they been alone. She was drawn out of her thoughts by a growl of annoyance next to her. She turned to gaze at the frustrated hanyou. "What?"

"Will you hurry up already! Kitto has probably already gone off by himself!" By now he had three pizza crusts left sitting in front of him.

She shoved the remainder of the pizza in her mouth and mumbled. "Okay, okay!" He opened his mouth to say something but Kagome jumped up and ran off into the other room before he had a chance.

'She'll be a few minutes.' He sighed and went to change in the bathroom. By the time he emerged Kagome had finished packing a fresh towel for him to dry with and one of the ones they'd been using to sit in the sand with. She'd also packed a small set of binoculars. She flashed him a smile. "Ready?" Kagome hadn't changed, the water looked pretty rough and it would probably be freezing, so she decided she'd just sit and watch and drool over Inu Yasha while his shirt was off.

He handed her his bandana with an expectant gaze. She chuckled lightly and helped him on with it. 'I like taking care of him. It feels so natural.'

Inu Yasha hid his smug smile. 'I like it when she does stuff like this. I wonder if she'll always take care of me.' As soon as she was done, he grabbed her hand and hauled her out of the suite and down into the lobby.

Kitto was standing near the door, looking out at the sun. He turned as he heard them approach. "There you are. I almost gave up on you. Let's go catch some waves." He shoved the spare board into Inu Yasha's hands.

The hanyou gave the man a toothy grin. "Sorry, we kind of fell asleep."

They started out the doors and toward the beach. "Well, it was a nice day for that sort of thing. Yuki and the squirts are still sleeping. I left them a note."

Kagome trudged beside them. "You don't think she'll mind waking up finding you gone?" She could hardly stand waking up with Inu Yasha not within her sights. And these days it was more like within reach.

"Oh, she won't mind. I think I freaked her out taking Kinshin out for a surf the other day." He chuckled lightly.

"I don't blame her. Inu Yasha, if…" 'Oh my god, I almost said that if he ever did that with our kids I'd kill him.' Kagome turned bright red.

Inu Yasha glared at her. "What is it, wench?"

Kagome looked away. "Um…don't loose your bandana. It's my favorite."

"Sure." Inu Yasha smirked. 'That was not was she was going to say.'

They all stopped and gazed at the turbulent ocean. "Looks pretty rough, but it'll make for some killer waves!" Kitto dropped his own towel on the ground and made a dash for the water.

Kagome shivered a bit as the wind whipped around them. Inu Yasha looked at her worriedly. "Are you cold?"

Kagome smiled and took out the large beach towel she'd brought for Inu Yasha. "I'll be fine. I'll borrow your towel until you get out."

Inu Yasha looked around suspiciously. He had a sudden sense of foreboding. But the beach was entirely deserted. It was already late in the afternoon and no one wanted to bother coming out to the beach this late and right after a rain storm to top it off. But still he felt strange. "Will you be all right here by yourself?"

Kagome smiled again as she wrapped his towel around her spaghetti-strapped top. "I'll stay right here. I promise." She gave him a little shove toward the water. "I'll be fine. Now, go have fun!"

Inu Yasha gave her a reluctant nod and snatched up the surf-board. "You better watch me!" He shouted smugly over his shoulder as he dashed into the water.

Kagome chuckled. "Believe me, I will." She took a moment to lay out the extra towel and then sat down on it, wrapping herself in the large warm beach towel. She pulled out her binoculars and found her hunky hanyou in the waters. Kagome watched him for some time as he rode the waves and with each new attempt succeeded by leaps and bounds. Soon he was surfing better than Kitto.

Suddenly two pairs of hands grasped her from behind. Kagome managed a single cry of, "Inu Yasha!" before a hand slammed down over her lips. She struggled, the towel falling away from her. Her assailants, however, were stronger than she and easily drug her away from the beach and over a dune.

She was finally released, though still surrounded. Kagome gawked at them. Before her stood Gyou and behind her stood Chi. "What do you…want?"

Gyou's eyes flickered evilly. "We want to remind you, who you're dealing with." He looked up at the hotel that loomed over the next dune.

Kagome followed his gaze and found the sole figure that stood on the ninth floor balcony. 'Shina.' Kagome could have sworn she saw the girl grin even from that distance. She looked back to her assailants when she heard the bone chilling clicks.

"And now we're going to teach you a lesson." Chi spat behind her. She saw the flash of metal in the dying sunlight.

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Inu Yasha sputtered out of the water and looked around. 'I could have sworn I heard…' "Hey! Kitto! Did you hear something?"

Kitto looked over at the strange silver haired man, who was quickly becoming his friend. He shrugged. "No."

Inu Yasha looked around again and then he noticed something missing from the shore. "Damn it!" He caught the next wave and rode it all the way to the beach. As he jumped from the board to the sand, he heard the most blood curdling scream and his heart skipped a beat. "Kagome!" In less than three seconds he was standing a mere ten feet away from her.

He stared at her, rage building by the millisecond. It was not the fact that his beloved stood shivering half naked trying desperately to cover herself that angered him, or even the fear that emanated in her scent, but the fact that a thin line of blood was forming horizontally just above her exposed chest. His claws dug into his palms and a feral growl grew in his throat. The two men turned toward him at the sound. He glared, his eyes flashing red. "How dare you! I'm going to kill you!"

Gyou turned and glared back. He flashed the switchblade in front of him. "Just try it. No one will miss you, I'm sure."

Inu Yasha growled and without further warning darted forward, his fist connecting solidly with Gyou's nose. Gyou staggered back and Chi jumped at Inu Yasha from the side, his own switchblade flashing out. Inu Yasha landed a kick to his gut, sending him flying.

Kagome watched in silent horror as the fight persisted and Inu Yasha continued to grow even more angered. He presently was punching Gyou in the stomach and leaving Chi with a black eye at the same time. When he lifted Gyou up in one clawed hand and his eyes flashed red once more, Kagome couldn't contain her fear any longer. "Inu Yasha, don't kill them!"

Gyou tore at the hand that was currently denying him of precious oxygen. Inu Yasha glanced at Kagome and then gave one last death glare at Gyou. He brought the young man nose to nose with him. "Lay a hand on her again and I really will kill you." He hissed it low enough that Kagome didn't hear and then tossed Gyou into Chi, causing both to fall into unconsciousness.

Kagome darted across the sand, still trying to hide her breast beneath her arms, and buried her face into his bare chest. Sobs shook her as his arms slipped around her. She gasped sharply and the scent of her blood filled his nose. He lifted a hand to find it streaked with a line of blood. "Those bastards!" He lifted her chin, so he could see her face. "Kagome, are you all right? Are you in pain?" Tears streamed down her cheeks mixing with sand, causing streaks of mud. She didn't answer; instead, she buried her face back into his chest and sobbed. "Kagome?"

She struggled to breathe through her tears. "I'm cold."

He wrapped his arms around her again, this time more carefully. He lifted her into his arms bridal style and Kagome continued to hide her nakedness in his chest by huddling against him. They began the walk back to the place where Kagome had left the towels, leaving behind two unconscious cousins and the remnants of Kagome's favorite baby blue spaghetti-strapped top.

Kitto was waiting on the shore. "Hey, what's going on?" He gasped when he spotted Kagome. "What happened!" His eyes lingered a little too long on Kagome's bare and bloody backside, and Inu Yasha growled loudly. Kitto quickly averted his gaze, but didn't turn away. "Is she all right?"

Inu Yasha stood Kagome up with her back to Kitto and took up the abandoned towel, wrapping it around Kagome's shivering form. "She'll be okay." He looked down at her. "Right?" Kagome nodded mutely and again buried her face in his chest.

Kitto let out a breath. "Good. Now, will you tell me what's going on?"

"Let's just say there's some bad blood between Kagome and some of her family. They attacked her just now."

Kitto looked back up to see a towel now wrapped around the little miko. "Attacked?"

"Yeah." Inu Yasha took a deep breath. "Listen Kitto, I don't think it would be such a good idea for me to be in this tournament. I can't leave Kagome alone that long. They could try something like this again."

"I understand, but if you'd like I can help keep an eye on her while you're in the water."

Inu Yasha flinched. He didn't trust others to protect his Kagome. It had taken a very long time before he allowed Miroku or Sango to do such a thing. Kagome was his responsibility and his to protect. He looked down at her, but all he could see was the top of her head. "I'll think about it."

"Okay, give me a call when you decide. I'm in room 513." Kitto looked at Kagome worriedly. "Are you sure she doesn't need a doctor?"

Inu Yasha glanced once more at Kagome. The wounds bled but they weren't deep. Kagome had survived a lot worse. "Yeah, I'm sure." He released her momentarily to stuff the other things into the beach bag. "We're calling it a day, see you later." Then he lifted the still stunned miko into his arms and carried her back to the hotel.

Kagome cuddled deep into his chest and buried her face in his neck. People stared as they crossed the lobby and entered the elevator. "Inu Yasha, don't tell her." He looked down at her. It was the first coherent thing she'd said since the incident. He felt a wave of relief wash over him.

He snorted. "Why not? It's about time she knew what was going on."

"No, please. She doesn't need to worry about this."

The doors opened and Inu Yasha began to walk slowly down the hall. "If we don't, things are only going to get worse."

Kagome lifted her head from the crook in his neck and looked up at him with pleading eyes. The look broke his heart. There was such sadness and desperation in it. "Please."

Inu Yasha sank to the floor in the middle of the empty hallway and clutched her to him like the lifeline of a drowning man. "Why? Kagome, tell me why?"

Kagome pulled an arm from beneath her towel and wrapped it around his neck. "Because she worries about me in the feudal era, she doesn't need to do that while I'm here. She doesn't need to worry about things that we can handle ourselves. We've faced demon after demon, we can face a couple of humans…even if they are supposed to be family."

Inu Yasha took a ragged breath. Things were becoming more dangerous. Gyou and Chi had attacked her in broad daylight, well it was getting dark, but still the attack had been bold. The image of Kagome standing there in the wind, half naked with that frightened look in her eyes flashed through his mind and he growled despite himself. "Okay, but if they lay another hand on you…I swear, I will kill them." He felt Kagome shake her head in a negative motion. "How can I protect you, if you tie my hands?"

Kagome leaned back to look up at him. "You can't go around killing people in this era. There are things called laws. It would attract way too much attention." She gave him a weak smile and stroked a gentle hand down his cheek. "You'll find a way to get around it. I know you will. I believe in you."

He took another ragged breath and crushed her to him. "Feh."

Kagome smiled to herself. 'I knew he'd see reason.' She felt him shift her in his arms and he began to move down the hall again. Kagome continued to snuggle against him and tucked her bare arm back into the towel as he pushed open the suite door.

Iki, Sota and Gramps were sitting around the small coffee table playing a game of cards. Iki jumped to her feet and ran to them. "Kagome! What happened? Are you all right?"

Kagome turned her head to give her mother a weak smile. "I'm fine. I just fell on some rocks and-"

"My god! You're bleeding!" Iki went to grab her daughter.

Inu Yasha took a defensive step back. For some reason he was being very possessive right now. Part of him understood-the demon part that is. She was his and she was injured. No one would be able to get near her right now. He had to be sure she was safe and taken care of. And no one would do a better job of that than him. "She's okay. She just cut her back." He stepped around Iki, who eyed him with distress. "I'll take care of her."

"But-"

"He's right mom, it's just a scratch. Don't worry. Inu Yasha is pretty good at healing wounds." Kagome looked around his shoulder at her mother. Again she managed a weak smile for her sake. "I'm fine, okay?"

"Okay." Iki watched as Inu Yasha walked off into the bedroom still carrying her daughter. Her shoulders slumped and a pained expression passed her eyes. 'Something's going on. Why won't they tell me?'

Inu Yasha walked straight through the bedroom and into the bathroom, where he set her on the toilet. He turned and closed the door. He sighed with relief. Now all he had to do was tend to Kagome's wounds. He turned back to watch her for a moment and their eyes locked. "Turn around."

She nodded and did as was told. Inu Yasha took a rag and ran warm water over it. She felt him kneel behind her and gently tug at the towel until it slid off her back, revealing the long gash from Chi's blade. He gently ran the cloth along the irritated and maimed surface. She gasped as the warm rag connected with her cold skin. It hurt a little and she tried desperately not to tremble. Inu Yasha could sense her discomfort and pain. He placed a warm hand on her exposed upper arm. His large hand encompassed her bicep. Kagome relaxed at his comforting touch and let her mind wander in the haze of his warm aura.

She stiffened slightly as he began his special treatment on the wound. His warm breath tickled her skin and each time his lips brushed against it, she grew warm inside. The treatment ended all too soon for her taste. Then he was gently replacing the towel around her shoulders. "Thanks." The wound on her back felt much better now.

He turned her to face him. "It'll help the wound not scar. Now, let me see this one." He tugged at the front of the towel, a serious expression in his eyes. 'Her perfect body shouldn't be covered in scars.'

Kagome turned scarlet to the ears. "Inu Yasha…"

He blinked at her and then a slight tint a pink shaded his cheeks as well. "Kagome, calm down. I wasn't going to…" He looked away unable to finish the comment.

'This is stupid! Why am I being so shy? Early we nearly…' Kagome smiled slowly and allowed the towel to slip from her shoulders again. She clasped the front closed low across the breast. "Inu Yasha, look at me."

He lifted his eyes and his blood rushed inside him. She was beautiful sitting there with a look of longing in her eyes. 'She's such a goddess.' He met her gaze and smiled slowly. He rose and rinsed the cloth again under the warm water. Returning, he began to clean the wound like before. He kept his eyes on the line of blood, forcing his gaze not to wander.

Kagome watched him, his expression very focused on his task. She reached out and took his free hand that rested on her knee. His gaze moved up to meet hers. "Inu Yasha, I think you should start carrying Tetsusaiga with you."

He blinked. "Huh?"

She squeezed his hand. "I was worried about you today." Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. He stared up at her, completely confused now. "I was scared-scared that you would really kill them and then they would come and take you away from me."

He brushed away a tear that slipped from her eye. "Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'll always be here to take care of you, Kagome. If it makes you feel better, I'll carry Tetsusaiga." She nodded and he graced her with a warm reassuring smile.

Inu Yasha began to clean her wound again, when he was done he sat back and searched her features as if asking for silent permission to continue. Kagome gave him a small but firm nod, granting him the permission he sought. He sat up again and took hold of her shoulders. Kagome watched hypnotized as he dipped his head, his furry ears brushing her chin. She shivered once more as his rough tongue brushed the sensitive skin. Unlike the slow and methodical treatment he'd given the wound on her back, this time it was brief.

She was baffled when he stood and turned his back to her. "I…I need to take a shower. Go rest. I'll call you when I'm done."

Kagome stared at his back for a long moment before moving forward and placing a hand on his shoulder. She felt him tremble. "Inu Yasha?"

He placed his own hand over hers, his voice remaining low and steady. "I'm fine. Go on." She frowned slightly but moved on to the door. "I love you, Kagome."

She turned her head to gaze at his back again as she opened the door. "I love you too, Inu Yasha. I always have." With that she stepped through the door and closed it behind her.

Inu Yasha growled at himself. 'Damn it! I nearly lost control that time. If I hadn't pulled away…' He reached into the shower and turned on the cold water. Dropping what remained of his clothing onto the floor, he stepped in. 'I have to be more careful. I'd never forgive myself if I hurt her.'

Kagome lay watching the bathroom door. No matter how exhausted her body now felt, her mind would not be quiet. She had pulled on a fresh t-shirt that covered her wounds, so her mother would suspect anything. But her mother wasn't the person she was presently worried about. 'I wonder what's wrong. Why did he pull away like that? I thought…'

The bathroom door opened and Inu Yasha appeared. He was draped in another large towel. Kagome watched as he crossed the room to sit beside her on the bed. He could see the worry in her eyes and wanted to appease it. He brushed away a stray hair from her face and leaned down to place a warm kiss on her lips. "Go shower."

She smiled slowly and did as she was asked. Inu Yasha turned his attention to the glass door. It was already dark out and he could smell dinner being made. By the time Kagome was finished with her shower it was done. Dinner itself was rather quiet in comparison to most of their dinners. Kagome excused herself early and Inu Yasha took up her plate and his to help with the washing. Iki was rather surprised, but she was glad. She wanted to talk to the silent hanyou.

She stood beside him drying the plates as he washed them. "Inu Yasha, about earlier…"

"Um, sorry about that. I just get…worried." He kept his eyes on the dirty pans as if they were the most interesting things in the world.

Iki smiled slowly. "It's okay, I understand. You love her, you're supposed to worry."

Inu Yasha blinked at her for a second. His mind registering the fact that he knew she must have noticed by this point. She wasn't a fool by any means. "Um, yeah."

"Good. Then you know if there was something wrong, you should tell me. After all, those who love her want to take care of her. Is there anything I need to know, Inu Yasha?"

He frowned slightly. "I'm sure if there was something troubling her, she would tell you." He dried his hands on the dish towel and gave a slight bow of the head. "Excuse me. I think I'll turn in. Goodnight." He turned and headed for Kagome's room.

Iki frowned at his retreating back. 'He's hiding something. But I'm sure if they really needed me, they'd let me know whatever it is. For now, I'll trust him to take care of her, just as he has done for the last three years.'

Inu Yasha moved across the dark room to sit beside Kagome's bed as he had done numerous times over the years at the shrine. He heard her turn towards him and paused as her eyes flickered briefly in the pale light of the moon. "Inu Yasha?"

"Hmm?"

She reached out for his hand. "Would you mind staying with me for a while?"

He paused. "Are you sure? What about your mother?"

"I don't care. Stay with me until I fall asleep. Please."

He crawled up beside her on the bed. "How could I possibly deny you?"

She cuddled against him as his arms wrapped around her. She placed a soft kiss under his jaw. "Thank you. Goodnight, Inu Yasha."

He nuzzled into her hair. "Goodnight, Kagome."

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A/N: I hope you guys liked this chap. Things will begin to move faster as later chapters come. Thanks again for all the great reviews!